Chapter 11 – 6th Year (Part I)

Ria sat in his library, trying her hardest to cast the spell that Severus had been trying to teach her. She had been learning nearly two spells a day. The one that she'd been working on currently was 'Reparo' so she could fix things when they're broken.

"Try again," Severus said lightly, watching her carefully. He looked at the broken plate on the floor, "You'll get it soon enough, you're a fast learner, Ria."

Ria smiled at him, and raised her wand. They both started however, when they heard a noise nearby in the hallway. They glanced around guiltily in the candlelight when there was a rapping at the door.

"Severus," called a smooth voice that Severus didn't know that often. It was his father!

"Yes, father?" Severus asked questioningly.

"Do I have permission to enter your bedroom?" said the smooth voice, once again. The sound of his father's voice was deep and alluring – and it scared him.

"Wait a minute," Severus called. He turned, panicked, to Ria who was looking equally horrified.

"Get under the bed," he whispered, "Hurry!"

Ria moved quickly, got down to the level of getting on her stomach and sliding under Severus' four-posted and paused. "I don't know what lives under there!"

Severus couldn't believe his ears. "Are you kidding me?" he almost screamed at Ria. "Nothing lives under my bed!"

"Are you sure?" Ria whispered back, still hesitant. "It is a dark place after all! What if a Boggart or something is under there just waiting to scare me?"

"Damn it, Ria, you're making things difficult!" murmured Severus. His father rapped on the door once more and jiggled the handle. Severus became even more nervous.

"Get in the closet!" Severus whispered hurriedly, rushing to his wardrobe and pulling Ria by her forearm.

"Severus, that's worse!" was all Ria managed to say before she was abruptly stuffed inside. Severus then firmly closed and latched the door. He turned to go let his father in, but was nearly electrified to find that he was already standing in the doorway.

"What took you so long? I let myself in," said his father, simply. Severus watched with wide eyes.

"How long have you been there?" he questioned, fearing the worse.

"Long enough to see you stuff Ria in the wardrobe." Said his father simply. He raised his left index finger, and pointed it towards the large closet. The doors unlatched themselves, and as if it were choking, the wardrobe spit Ria out onto the floor. She looked up at both Snape's, terrified and ashamed.

"Master Snape, I am sorry," she bowed at his feet. He ignored her, still staring at his only son.

"You've been teaching her magic?" asked Master Snape simply. All Severus could do was nod. He knew magic was against his father's codes… especially in the manor. Severus never knew the real reason his father loathed magic, as the boy had always known his father was a Muggle. There had never been a problem with magic before, as he had fell in love with his mother who was obviously a witch. Severus did know that his father gave up all ideals of magic, however, when his mother died in the result of a wand backfiring incident.

"Why?" asked Master Snape, so smoothly it sent a shiver down Severus' spine.

"She'd been begging to learn," Severus answered simply, avoiding his father's eyes. Why was he, a sixteen-year-old young man, afraid to look his father in the face? "She pled with me and wouldn't shut up until I taught her something."

Master Snape sighed, and turned towards Ria. "You see… this is why I didn't want you found. After all I've done for you… you betray my trust? How shall I punish a deed such as this?"

Ria burst into frustrated tears, and Severus scowled, "Father she's done nothing but want to learn!"

His father then rounded on him. "And you, traitor, you know my rules. You are her teacher. How should I punish you?"

Severus' heart stopped cold. He wondered why he was so afraid of his father, but he felt as if he had to defend Ria – who wasn't springing to speak up for herself.

"But father she's been begging to learn," he implored, "If you knew she was a witch when you made her your servant, then you must've known she was going to Hogwarts or-"

He was cut off abruptly when Master Snape's fist rammed into his left cheek. His eyes stung; but he dared not shed a single tear. He looked up defiantly.

"I told her if she wanted to be safe than she couldn't leave," his father spat icily. "That includes going to that… that school and attempting to get an education. You're lucky that I even allow you to attend!"

Severus had only spoken to his father on occasion since he was a little boy. He knew their whole community respected Master Snape, and that he was a great, powerful, authority figure… and yet… the more Severus came into contact with him… the more he hated him.

"Mum attended Hogwarts and you were okay with it!" he heard himself growl. His face was twitching slightly from the impact of his father's punch.

"I lied to her. And I hated every moment of her stories from that blasted school," said his father truthfully. "As well should you… and leave that school."

"I am not like you," Severus snapped at his father, "I never was… and I never will be!"

"You are more than you think, Severus," said his father calmly. Severus glared at him.

"I am not. I am more of my mother than I am of you," he spat furiously, his face burning. His father paused, and sighed very defeated. If it was anything that had Severus one-up over him… it was the mention of his wife.

"What?" asked Master Snape, sounding very putout now. "What do you want from me, Severus?"

"A request," answered Severus, now looking from Ria towards his father.

"In the blessed name of your mother, my only son… name what you want," he said quietly. Severus looked up at his father, who towered over him and realized that his face was hidden in shadow. All he truly could see was the silhouette of his very long hair and the glowing of his eyes. He averted his attention, now panicked.

"I want Ria to be able to go to Hogwarts," said Severus plain and simple. Despite what he could not see, the chuckle of his father made him think that he was smirking.

"Of course, of course," Master Snape said lightly, "As a favor to you and your Mum I shall do all I can to help your dear… Ria. But remember, my only son, there is no definite guarantee that she will be accepted. She is rather old for a first year."

Ria blushed, hidden by shadow, as she looked towards the Snape's. She hadn't expected Severus to stand up to his father on her behalf. Master Snape frightened her something terrible… and yet… her stomach felt lighter. There was a chance she could get into Hogwarts!

"You have to give me your word," said Severus icily as his father turned to go. Master Snape's back was to the two teens, and he never stopped walking.

"It's no promises, but Severus, in the name of your mother, you have it." Was all Master Snape murmured, before disappearing completely before their eyes.

-x-

The Hogwarts Express toddled on warily on its tracks, as it rode its usual route up to Hogwarts School. It was a nice day, fairly sunny with fat tufts of white clouds and a cool breeze. Friends chattered amongst each other as they sat on the gentle swaying train, and everything was all right.

Well… at least for some.

"I thought I told you to find a compartment, Padfoot!"

"You did – and I tried – but Mum was yelling at me and-"

"Ouch! - Remus! – That was my foot!"

"Oh, sorry!"

"Can we hurry and find a place to sit? It's been nearly twenty minutes and my back is aching."

"Shut up Wormtail!"

It was a typical time for the Marauders. After reuniting with each other, they all planned to get a compartment together… hopefully one of the larger ones near the back. James was in the lead, followed by Sirius and Lily. Remus had just treaded accidentally on Lily's foot, and Peter was in the rear, as usual.

"Here's a compartment… ooh, wait, it's someone in here." Sirius shouted. "It's a girl."

The girl sitting by herself at the window looked over at them. She seemed shocked to see so many people in the hallway.

"Is she pretty?" asked James, going to crumple his hair. Sirius grinned, and nudged his best friend with his elbow.

"Oh for Saint Peter's sake-" Lily murmured, flinging the compartment door open. "Hello, we're all Gryffindor Sixth Years and we were wondering if we could share your compartment with you,"

The girl looked as though she didn't know what they were speaking, but nodded anyway. The five clambered in very noisily, strapped their trunks down, and sat assorted around the compartment.

"You know Remus and I can't stay," said Lily, importantly. She moved her dark red hair off of the front of her shoulder to reveal a shiny Prefect badge. "We have to go to the first compartment to receive our orders."

"Of course you do," said James thickly. "Who cares?"

"Prongs!" scolded Sirius. James shrugged, eyed Lily wearily and sighed defeated. Trying to make conversation, he turned to the unknown girl.

"Sorry for invading your space, mate." He told the girl. "I'm James."

"Lily," said the redhead, following suit in being polite.

"I'm Remus,"

"Peter."

"I'm weird!"

Everyone looked towards the voice of the speaker. It was of course, Sirius.

"Well… it's true. I'm weird, therefore I'm special," he said proudly, chin in the air.

"That's Sirius," James chimed in. "Who're you?"

He eyed the girl warily. She was Asian, kind-of tall and lanky with rounded-cheekbones and high eyebrows. She had light gray eyes, which made her kind-of weird looking for her ethnicity. They clashed with her black hair, which cascaded over her shoulders and down her back rather limply. She didn't seem like anything special, but they did notice she had a Prefect Badge on her robes and had a Slytherin Crest on them.

"Konichiwa," she greeted them in her native language, "Watakushi-wa Zabini Symphonie desu."

They all stared dumbfounded towards her, so much, that she burst into light giggles.

"No means to be rude," she said lightly, "I'm Symphonie Zabini," she introduced herself, "5th year Slytherin."

"What'd you say?" asked Sirius, still baffled, "You spoke…."

"I speak fluent Japanese," she said lightly, "It's my parent's language. My grandfather is an Englishman."

"That explains a lot," said Lily lightly, going to shake Symphonie's hand. "Sorry to be rude, but we really have to get to the front of the train,"

"Oh!" said Symphonie, blushing. "I nearly forgot I was a Prefect. D-Do you mind if I go with you? It's my first year as one so I have no idea of which compartment to go to."

"Sure," said Lily friendly, "You can follow Remus and I,"

Remus smiled lightly, getting to his feet. The train bustled on, and Lily was halfway towards the door when she saw something and paused. She uttered a slight gasp, and everyone turned in her direction.

Severus Snape walked by their compartment. They all were utterly taken aback as he looked much taller than he did the year before. He cut his hair to a bit past his ears, and didn't look quite as waxy. Even his complexion seemed to be a bit darker. And he looked… handsome, in a sense. His eyes glanced for two seconds into the compartment before they snapped away. They watched as his mouth opened to about a quarter of an inch. Perhaps he was going to say something to them…

But instead he walked right by.

Lily turned confused back towards the rest of her friends. "Did anyone just see what I just saw?"

"Yes, of course." Said Sirius, quite astonished. The sides of his mouth twitched when he continued on, "But what does all of that have to do with the price of tea in China?"

"SIRIUS!" groaned all his friends. He grinned, and Symphonie giggled. Lily went for the door again.

Lily scanned the hall one last time before actually exiting. "The coast is clear, let's g- OUCH!"

Lily ran headlong into a dreadful looking girl. She didn't look very old; but instead her appearance gave the impression that she had just fallen into a swamp. She had very dark hair and long clumped bangs that completely blocked out her eyes from Lily's view. She looked like a walking banshee. Lily recoiled from her, and leapt backwards onto Remus and Symphonie.

The rest of the Marauders rushed to the two glass windows to gape at the girl as she slowly got to her feet. They all nearly jumped, however, when they realized Severus Snape was nearby.

"What're you doing?" he said quite panicked, grabbing the girl by her left forearm. "I told you to stay directly behind me!"

The girl didn't say anything. No one could tell if her face changed expression because it was hidden in grimy hair.

"Shove off, Mudbloods!" Severus yelled at them, now sneering at them all. "Come on," he added quickly.

With a sudden jerk, he began to pull the dirty girl behind him. She turned her face towards the Marauders and Symphonie but none of them could see much…

Except for Remus.

He saw a flash of a dark green eye.

And suddenly, he felt very sick to his stomach.

-x-

The carriage ride up to Hogwarts for the Marauders was surprisingly, uneventful. Not much happened, and they all talked among themselves as they walked toward the Gryffindor Table.

"Nice meeting you all," said Symphonie as she headed happily herself towards the rest of her Slytherin friends. Once she was out of range, Sirius sneered.

"I still don't trust her," he muttered.

"Sirius!" Lily scolded.

"Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin," answered both Sirius and James, looking very unmoving towards Lily. Then, they both turned their attention towards McGonagall, who was sorting the first years.

"We have a special case, this year," said McGonagall once the hall was quiet. Everyone looked towards her, interested.

"In a decision made by the School Governors, a student that is not in the first year has been accepted into an older year." McGonagall announced. Everyone whispered at his or her tables.

"Since when do they accept students not of the first year?" asked Remus, looking around at his friends. They were as confused as he was.

"I don't know," said Lily truthfully. "I don't think they're really supposed to. If it was the school Governor's choice… it must have been a pretty strong decision to have whomever it is at this school at an older age."

"I now introduce to you Ria Wallace, who shall be entering into her fourth year. Ms. Wallace, please step forward to be sorted."

The girl to be sorted was the same one Lily ran into. He looked filthy, and sat on the stool amidst her long, tangled hair and filthy skin. The school had a worse reaction to her than the Marauders did. Gossip like wildfire flew the moment Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on her head. Seconds later, it spoke her fate.

"RAVENCLAW!"

Surprisingly, the Ravenclaw table did not clap for Ria. A lump appeared into Severus' throat as Ria walked by the Slytherin table in the direction McGonagall told her to go. Ria kept her eyes to herself and said nothing to him as she settled down, outcasted, at the end of the Ravenclaw Table.

The sorting continued on. After it was done, and Dumbledore rose to his feet and gave his annual speech the food appeared.

Remus grinned at his friends as he began to dig into the feast. As if by chance, he glanced over towards the Ravenclaw table to see the new girl, Ria, staring straight at him. She didn't look away when he seemed to look at her, but he broke the glance, half horrified.

"Padfoot…. Prongs…" he addressed his friends, who instantly looked up. "The weird dirt girl of Ravenclaw is staring at me."

They both looked over at the girl who's eyes weren't as hidden by her hair anymore. Simultaneously, James and Remus broke into identical mischievous grins at the sight of Remus' stalker.

"Perhaps she's taken with you," taunted James, chuckling a bit. "Maybe she saw you coming out of the compartment and she fancies you."

Remus blushed, despite himself. "Shut up, Prongs."

"Hello Remus."

A female voice that Remus wasn't used to hearing caught the three troublemakers' attentions. They looked towards the source of the voice, and found a very pretty girl the speaker. She was shorter than all three of them (they had just grown taller over the recent summer), and had very straight teeth with copper hair. Her dark eyes shone blue in the faint candlelight.

"Ma-Ma-Mackenzie?" Remus asked incredulously. James and Sirius hid their sniggers as Peter ate and Lily rolled her eyes.

"Yes!" cheered Mackenzie. She had always been Remus' crush since his first year at Hogwarts; she was bright and cheerful… and to Lily… sickening. She frequently had a lot of boyfriends queuing up to date her – and it surprised Remus that she was addressing him in public. The only other place he spoke to Mackenzie was in Muggle Studies class or in passing with a shy 'hello'.

"How'd your summer vacation go?" asked Remus, looking at her. She looked as if she expected a hug… so Remus wiped his mouth (subconsciously checked his breath) and gave her one. He stood maybe two inches over her, and felt proud that he was tall.

"Just great," said Mackenzie with a giggle. "How are your friends?" she asked, looking around. "James Potter?"

James raised an eyebrow at her, suspiciously.

"Sirius Black?"

Remus noticed and sensed a different side to Mackenzie once she had mentioned Sirius. He ignored it, however.

"Evans," Mackenzie said shortly, in the direction of Lily before chewing her lip and rolling her eyes. She and Lily were always on harsh terms because of grades.

"And pimply boy I don't know," Mackenzie addressed Peter who had some kind of bean salad dribbling down the front of his robes and was trying to clean it up.

Mackenzie puffed out her chest. Sirius drooled, and James choked on Pumpkin Juice. Remus, however, noticed what she wanted him to see. There was a shiny Head Girl badge on her robes.

"You made Head Girl?" said Remus kindly with a light smile. "Congratulations."

"Thank you, I know," said Mackenzie sitting down to Remus' right and literally shoving Lily along the table. "I'm so great that they had to make me Head Girl," she added vainly.

Lily glared amongst herself and elbowed Mackenzie slightly. The older girl didn't seem phased.

"So, Remus – this Halloween – first Hogsmeade," the pretty girl started out, smiling her perfect-toothed smile as she talked, "I'm thinking you and your guy friends meet up with me and my girl friends?"

Remus was annoyed by Mackenzie and didn't quite follow what she was trying to accomplish by inviting all of the Marauders to Hogsmeade, and he exchanged a look with James. Sirius was nodding subconsciously without even realizing and Peter looked star-struck.

"I guess we'll see you there," said Remus uncertainly. "Just don't forget."

"I won't if you won't," teased Mackenzie, eying Sirius quite hopefully. Remus smiled at her, not noticing her ulterior motive towards his friend. He had always liked her in a sense… so why not give a four-on-four date a chance?

"It's a deal," said Remus, and Mackenzie got up and smiled at him. She then left, smirking back towards her giggling friends near the other end of the long table.

"She is a horrible, wicked girl, Remus," grumbled Lily, glaring at the other side of the Gryffindor Table where a raven-haired girl was now eying the Quartet hopefully. "You shouldn't get involved with her, at all. She's nothing but trouble!"

"Shut your pie-hole, Ragweed. You're just jealous that men aren't queuing up to date you." James murmured, flicking peas and corn at her.

"And yet, you never stop trying to get my attention, do you antler boy?" snapped Lily, nose in the air as she picked up her things and left the table.

"Why do I even bother to try?" asked James sadly, looking at Sirius for advice. Sirius was trying his hardest not to burst into laughter at his friend's demise.

"Sorry mate, but eventually you'll say something right… and she'll be making a bee-line to get to you." Sirius said, pouting and trying to make James feel better. Remus grinned and snorted, and James crumpled his hair and adjusted his glasses angrily.

"Right," was the all-too-famous statement from an angry James Potter. "Right."

-x-

Walking in the hallway, and minding his business, Severus was on his way to double Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Gryffindors. He had his books on a nice dragon-hide sack on his back and his wand just under his right-hand sleeve… he never took chances in the hallways nowadays.

He heard a slight noise near his right and Severus panicked, and had his wand out of his sleeve in a quick motion. With no hesitation, he raised it and prepared to throw the first spell that came to his mind if it was a Gryffindor to approach him.

He was just about to murmur something when a voice he knew well made him stop.

"Severus?"

Severus lowered his wand cautiously. "Who is it?"

A foreign girl walked out towards him. He raised his wand again, and had it pointed at her forehead. She looked utterly terrified at his threat.

"Se…Severus?" the girl started again. She looked harmless enough; she wasn't armed and she even didn't even look like she could throw a spell in combat. She also had on robes, with a blue and bronze crest on them. Ravenclaw?

"Ria…" Severus sighed a breath of relief, "What're you doing walking around here?"

"Attempting to go to class. Isn't that how students are supposed to go about in a school?" Ria answered so tartly that Severus' eyebrows shot up and he had to laugh at her. She didn't look too pleased at him laughing at her sarcasm.

"Yes, indeed," he joked, "But why this way?"

"I was headed for Charms… some… er… Sly-Slyth-" she tried her hardest to pronounce the name, "Some boys wearing the green and silver crest like you told me that the Charms corridor is this way."

She pointed off towards the North Tower. Severus sighed, yet he found it amusing that Slytherins still pulled pranks on the students who were new.

"Well, you're gullible," Severus said with the air of one telling the weather. "Actually, you're ten minutes away from the Charms room. Luckily, you have ten minutes to spare because it's kind-of early and classes don't start until the bell rings."

Ria smiled at him, and that's when Severus noticed the difference. He tilted his head to the side, and put a clever hand up to his chin before he commented.

"You know," Severus said with a suave smirk, "I wouldn't have recognized who you were if it weren't for your voice. What'd you do to yourself? The first day you look like a swamp ghoul… nearly a month later – I can't recognize you."

Ria rolled her eyes at him. "You couldn't have expected me to stay filthy forever? The first day I came up to my dormitory the girls threatened me. They said if 'I didn't wash, then they would jinx the shower to pelt me with water until I was clean'." She said rather nonchalantly.

"Lovely," said Severus sarcastically, "We all love threats, now, don't we? They just make the world go round quicker."

"Har har." Ria chortled. She rolled her eyes again. "I better get going, since I'm so far off course."

Severus nodded, "You just might. No one wants a detention for being late." He joked.

"You're a cunning one," replied Ria, smirking. Her smirk faltered as she looked at Severus one more time before leaving.

"I have a question." She started softly.

Severus ignored her. He wasn't specifically paying attention to what she was saying; he was looking Ria over now that she was clean. She had long, raven hair that she kept back in one single braid and eyes that were incredibly dark. She was dark-complexioned, yet she had rosy cheeks with untamed eyebrows and a little pointed nose.

"What color are your eyes?" asked Severus, just looking at her. Ria snorted despite herself, and Severus smirked to see a creeping purple blush come across her cheeks.

"I don't know… it's been so long since I've seen a mirror. Master Snape never allowed them in the manor," said Ria softly. Severus grinned at her and she started to talk again. "Severus…"

"Hmm?" asked Severus distantly.

"You… you never speak to me unless we're alone, Severus." Said Ria quietly. "Are you ashamed to have it known that I am your friend?"

Severus paused at her unconventional question. Was he afraid? Perhaps. But he wasn't going to allow her to think that.

"No," he said and an expression he couldn't quite explain passed over his face. It died as soon as he heard another familiar voice; one he did NOT want to hear at the current moment.

"Snivellus!" called a chipper voice that made Severus cringe. His wand hand was back up in the air, pointed in the direction of the sound.

"Hey, put your wand down, chap, we're only on our passing way to class!" chimed in the unusually calm voice that Severus recognized as Sirius Black's. So that had meant the first voice had been his partner in crime, James Potter…

"Yeah, Snape. Even annoying you gets tiring sometimes," replied James.

"The slime ball," retorted one voice that Severus didn't hear very often.

Everyone laughed at the last voice's comment, and as the Marauders indeed did walk by (Severus backed a few steps away just in case they were planning something), he noticed it was Remus Lupin. How often did the Prefect have something to say against him? Severus' eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Aww, lookie Moony. I think Snivellus doesn't like you," James teased.

In the rear of the group was Peter Pettigrew, who exchanged the tiniest of nods between him and Severus as he passed by hurriedly. Near Peter, Severus sensed was Lily… the Mudblood. He really never had a problem with Lily, but it just annoyed him that her group of friends hated him and how she always defended both sides. The Prefect girl ignored him and walked slower than the others, observing the scene but never saying anything.

Remus opened his mouth to retort another comment (Severus assumed they had pre-planned what they were going to say) but instead froze so sudden that Lily ran into him from behind. He looked terrified, but he wasn't looking at Snape. Instead, he was looking at Ria.

Ria froze too, gazing at the Marauders with utmost fear. She looked unsure of whether to run and get out of the situation or just pretend as if it never happened.

"Alanze," Remus gasped. James and Sirius' heads snapped in his direction. They too soon began to look in Ria's direction too.

Ria was shaking. Severus was confused, but he put a calm hand on her shoulder.

"What the blooming hell is going on?" Severus voiced out loud.

"Alanze," Remus started again. Ria let out a dry sob and burrowed her face unexpectedly into Severus' robes. A dark red look of suppressed confusion and anger appeared on Remus' face as he looked at her.

"This is where you've been the whole time?" Remus screamed at her, eyes bulging out. "You've been safe… and with SNAPE of all people?"

Ria never stopped sobbing. Severus still did not understand what was going on with the situation.

"You know her?" he questioned looking down at Ria. "What the bloody-"

"Whoa," Sirius uttered, a look of insanity on his face. "This is crazy. So, for three years, Alanze was never dead?"

"And she's been with Snape?" chipped in James, who looked amused.

"Alanze?" questioned Severus, looking at Ria. "What's this name that they're calling you, Ria?"

Ria/Alanze would not answer. She looked at them all, and curtly ran away from the scene.

Severus and the Marauders stood awkwardly in the hallway. No one said much until James tugged on Remus' robe sleeve. He was still looking with the deepest of loathing towards Severus, but they continued walking to class. In the distance, the bell rang signaling afternoon courses. Severus slowly began to walk in the direction of Defense Against the Dark Arts, when he jumped. Someone was still there. It was Lily.

And yet, she still said nothing as she eyed Severus questioningly with those annoyingly bright green eyes. Severus looked at her for a second, and then stormed away to the direction of class too. He didn't want to deal with her, or whatever she had to say… even if she was going to say anything, anyway.